November 22, 20222

*) Hunt for buried survivors after deadly quake hits Indonesia Rescuers continued their search for survivors after a powerful earthquake hit Indonesia’s main island of Java. At least 162 people have died in Monday’s magnitude 5.6 quake, which also injured thousands. The death toll is expected to rise as many remain trapped in collapsed buildings. Indonesia's President Joko Widodo said the government would hand out compensation to victims and their families. *) Türkiye neutralises 184 PKK/YPG terrorists: Defence ministry Türkiye could launch a ground operation to eliminate the terrorist threat posed by the PKK and YPG, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said. The statement came a day after Ankara launched an aerial operation called Claw-Sword in northern Iraq and Syria where so far, dozens of targets have been destroyed and 184 terrorists neutralised, according to the defence ministry. Three people, including a student and teacher, were also killed inside Türkiye after the terrorist group fired mortars into the southeastern city of Gaziantep. *) Malaysia’s king expected to pick next prime minister In Malaysia, King Al-Sultan Abdullah is now expected to pick the next prime minister, after Saturday’s election produced a hung parliament. Political parties missed a Tuesday deadline to put together alliances for a majority and present their choice for PM. The uncertainty prolongs economic and political instability in the Southeast Asian nation, which has had three prime ministers in as many years. *) Mali bans French-backed NGOs' activities — govt Mali's military government has announced a ban on the activities of NGOs, including humanitarian organisations, funded or supported by France. Mali’s interim prime minister said it was in response to France's decision to stop development aid for Mali, the latest move in a worsening row between the countries. France announced the decision last week, three months after finalising its pull-out of forces from the country. *) World Cup: England off to